St Justin’s Primary School acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia's First People and Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which our school stands.

We pay our respects to the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, and their elders past and present, and emerging as we continue to proudly live and learn on their land.

St Justin's Primary School - Celebrating over 40 years of Catholic Education

Dear Families and Friends,

Welcome back to Term 3. We hope you all had the opportunity to spend time with loved ones, and if nothing else, have a break from the school routine. This term promises to be another busy one, with many exciting events planned - School Production, Confirmation, Year 4 Camp, Book Week - just to name a few. Whilst our Annual Fair on the Hill is still some time away (Saturday 8th November 11:00am - 4:00pm) there has been an amazing amount of planning going on.

Please refer to the Fair on the Hill page for more information.

Naidoc Week

NAIDOC stands for ‘National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day Observance Committee’.

NAIDOC Week is a celebration held every year and lasts for one week. NAIDOC Week this year was during our school holidays on 6th to 13th July.

During NAIDOC Week we take time to celebrate the culture, history and achievements of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Strait Islander Peoples.

The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.

May we hold the wisdom of past, present and future in our hearts as we make decisions that free and empower all people today.

Dear God,

You are the source of all strength, vision and legacy.

You created the land, the people, and the deep stories woven through time.

Bless this gathering.

May the spirit of reconciliation fill our hearts.

And may we, the next generation, shine with courage, truth and love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen

Confirmation

This term our Year 6 students will receive the sacrament of Confirmation. During Confirmation, candidates will be ‘sealed’ with the Holy Spirit. Students will explore people who demonstrate saintly qualities and hopefully gain a greater understanding of the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit. To help prepare for Confirmation the students will attend, Confirmation Commitment Masses (this weekend), Workshop Evening, Reflection Day and Confirmation Medal Masses throughout July and August. The Sacrament of Confirmation being held on Thursday 14th August at St Patrick's Cathedral 6.00pm. Like anything we do in life, preparation is important. Sacraments are not a "tick" object in life, but rather part of our life journey - a journey shared with God and family.

Please keep our candidates in your prayers as they continue on their faith journey.

Please refer to the Education in Faith page for all date in relation to Confirmation preparation.

Important Dates

Whilst we have most dates in the calendar, some dates include:

Sat 26th / Sun 27th July - Confirmation Commitment Masses
Tuesday 29th July - Confirmation Workshop Evening 6:45 – 7:45pm
Wednesday 30th July - Maths Olympiad Competition
Friday 1st August - Year 6 Confirmation Reflection Day

Please refer to Dates Ahead for a full list of important dates in Term 3.

AFL 9s Girls Division Finals

Today our AFL 9s Girls Football side competed in the AFL 9s Girls Division Finals at Lum Reserve. After winning the District tournament in Term 2, our team relished the chance to take on more challenging schools in this next stage.

Today we played 4 other schools, winning two of the three games which took us through to the grandfinal. Whilst we played amazingly well, unfortuanely we we didn't win and finished runners up.

It was so pleasing to see every player in the team have their moment to shine on the day with all contributing so much to the team. We were also very thankful to the parent and staff support we had right throughout the day.

Well done to the members of the team: Aria S, Khiara S, Ariana D, Phoebe J, Sienna B, Amelia P, Adele S, Mia G, Emily L and Eva H.

St Justin's 2025 School Production

The countdown is now on!!

Our whole School Production ‘The Down Under Road Trip’ is in full swing. Please take note of all the important information enclosed in this newsletter.

Year 5 and 6 Excursion to the Melbourne Zoo

Today the students in Years 5 and 6 visited the Melbourne Zoo. They discovered the connections between animals past and present – their structural features, adaptations and dependence on delicate ecosystems for survival. Students analysed skulls, explored artefacts and visited zoo habitats to understand the complex world of animals.

We’d like to thank our Senior School teachers and parent helpers for this amazing day!

Year 4 and Year 5 Excursion - Avila and Mazenod Musical

On Wednesday our Year 4 and 5 students were given the opportunity to experience some of the opportunities that Secondary School provides, together with some insight into what it takes to put a school production together. The Year 4's and 5's watched “High School Musical" play performed by students from Avila and Mazenod Colleges.

It was a wonderful musical show casing some very talented students, including former St Justin's students.

Ticket sales:

https://www.monash.edu/performing-arts-centres/event/disney-high-school-musical/

Free Public Transport for Kids

As part of the 2025–26 Victorian State Budget, the Allan Labor Government hasannounced a major initiative to support families and ease the cost of living:From 1 January 2026, public transport will be free for every Victorian under the ageof 18.

Please click on the below link for more information:

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/free-public-transport-every-child-every-day-everywhere

P&F Sausage Sizzle - Change of Date

The P&F are raising funds for our school and we are holding a sausage sizzle lunch day which is now on Thursday 21st August.

Please refer to the Parents and Friends page for more details:

New Piano and Hot House

During the holidays, the school took possesion of a new (second hand) piano. The piano will be located in the PAC and used for a variety of musical sessions. The piano was funded by money raised by the Parents and Freinds.

Over the holidays we also had the foundations laid for a new hothouse. The foundations we laid by some volunteer families - thanks Peter and crew, it is much apprecaited. The hot house will be erected in coming weeks and used to grow seedlings. The hot house was purchased using funds raised by the Parents and Friends. We look forward to seeing a greener St Justin's in the near future.

Thanks to the Parents and Friends for your efforts in suporting the school - many of these things would not be possible without your ongoing support.

Cough, Colds and COVID

As the wintery conditions continue, so do the reports of coughs, colds, flu and Covid. Can we please encourage parents to keep their children at home whenever they display the symptoms of being unwell. Thank you for your cooperation.

Professional Learning - School Closure Days

Ongoing professional learning is essential for St Justin's to keep abreast of the latest in education. Please note there will be no school for students on these days.

Term 3 Monday 11th August - School Closure Day - Staff Professional Learning Day Focus: UFLI Phonics

Please note that these days are not taken lightly - they are essential for us to continue supporting our students at St Justin's.

Use of Photographs

Please remember that if at any stage you take a group photo of students, it should not be published online unless permission has been granted.

Have a great two weeks and we'll see you next term.

All the best,

Pat

Mr Patrick Torpey

Principal

School Production

"The Down Under Road Trip"